Best Software Engineering Schools in Virginia (2026)

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Virginia Software Engineering At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Software Engineering Salary $138,842
Salary Outlook Virginia offers competitive wages for software engineering professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Virginia Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online software engineering degree in Virginia offers a flexible path into software engineering careers. Virginia offers competitive wages for software engineering professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Virginia students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Software Engineering Schools in Virginia

The following schools offer accredited online software engineering programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Virginia.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
81.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 76%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $76,343
Avg net price $17,915/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 87%
  • Programs offered: 180

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Virginia's College at Wise

Wise, VA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
47.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 45%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $45,325
Avg net price $9,210/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 72%
  • Programs offered: 11

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in Virginia

Software Engineering professionals in Virginia experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Virginia.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Virginia)
Software Developers $136,460
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers $121,590
Computer Programmers $121,610
Web Developers $128,380
Computer and Information Systems Managers $201,490
Computer Occupations, All Other $139,030
Computer Network Architects $141,340
Computer Systems Analysts $120,840

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Software Engineering Degree in Virginia?

Choosing a program in Virginia can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Virginia offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Virginia economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online software engineering programs in Virginia accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Software Engineering pay in Virginia compare to other states?

Virginia offers competitive wages for software engineering professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Virginia a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for software engineering in Virginia?

The Virginia Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Virginia. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Software Engineering Programs by City in Virginia

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Alexandria · Blacksburg · Charlottesville · Chesapeake · Christiansburg · Danville · Fairfax · Fredericksburg · Hampton · Harrisonburg · Herndon · Hopewell · Leesburg · Lynchburg · Manassas · Martinsville · Newport News · Norfolk · Petersburg · Portsmouth · Richmond · Roanoke · Salem · Staunton · Suffolk · Virginia Beach · Waynesboro · Williamsburg · Winchester


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